Compound glass bricks for a glass wall, and glass wall formed therewith

ABSTRACT

Compound glass brick for a glass wall, characterized in that the compound glass brick is transparent (light-permeable) and comprises an assembly of at least two or more plates which are stacked one on another or next to one another are arranged with their plate surfaces facing one another, and are connected to one another at their plate surfaces by means of a force-transmitting adhesive bonding means, with all of the plates and all of the force-transmitting adhesive bonding means being composed of transparent material and in each case being transparent, and with at least the outer plates or all of the plates being glass plates, the plate surfaces of which are smooth as glass.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to compound glass bricks for a glass wall according to the precharacterizing clause of claim 1, the use thereof for producing transparent glass walls or transparent glass wall parts, and glass walls produced therewith and glass wall parts produced therewith.

The known compound glass bricks for glass walls comprise either two pressed-glass half shells which are melted together or are monolithic solid glass blocks. They are produced in various formats and various variants of color. They are generally optically distorting by their structure and surface composition in such a manner that, although they are light-permeable, they can be used more or less only as a means of protecting from view.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention aims to solve the problem of designing compound glass bricks in such a manner that they can firstly transmit high forces and secondly provide new optical effects enabling the fields of use of the compound glass bricks to be expanded.

This problem is solved according to the invention by the features of claim 1.

Further features of the invention are contained in the dependent claims.

Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of compound glass bricks according to the invention for forming glass walls or for forming glass wall parts. In addition, the invention relates to glass walls and glass wall parts produced from such compound glass bricks.

According to the invention, the compound glass bricks are produced from transparent plates. The transparent plates can be composed of translucent plastic or else of mineral glass. The glass plates are preferably blanks made of plate glass. Plate glass is a glass which is produced by the “floating method”. This method of production enables glass with a very planar surface to be produced. The view through said glass is comparable to normal window glass and does not show the optical distortions known from cast glass or pressed glass. By means of the use of plates with different physical and optical properties, a wide variety of compound glass bricks can be produced. The compound glass bricks can be used, for example, as optical elements. Completely new appearances can be produced in this case by means of the individual plates being arranged differently, for example horizontally or vertically, by plates of different colors being used or by coatings being used. The compound glass bricks are produced by the individual plates being connected to one another in a force-fitting or transmitting manner, for example by means of an adhesive or of an adhesive film producing an adhesive bond under pressure and heat, or by means of a different laminating method such that the individual plates of the compound glass brick can transmit forces relative to one another. The end surfaces (borders, edges) of the glass plates are finely ground or polished.

One or more or all of the glass plates of the compound glass brick can be replaced by, for example, transparent plastic plates. This enables the thermic values to be changed. It is also conceivable to use a vacuum insulating pane in place of one of the plates of the compound glass brick. This enables the insulation value of the compound glass brick to be significantly increased.

Further advantages are afforded on account of the large mass of the compound glass brick. For example, a wall formed with compound glass bricks of this type has enormously high protection against burglary and being shot through.

The invention is described below using preferred embodiments as examples and with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows perspectively a rectangular compound glass brick according to the invention,

FIG. 2 shows perspectively a rectilinear glass wall or a rectilinear glass wall part with compound glass bricks according to the invention which are placed with their end sides one on another,

FIG. 3 shows perspectively a rectilinear glass wall or a rectilinear glass wall part composed of compound glass bricks according to the invention which are placed with their plate surfaces one on another,

FIG. 4 shows two compound glass bricks according to the invention which are arranged one above the other and are secured against slipping by means of an intermediate layer and, as a result, are connected to each other in a form-fitting manner in order to transmit transverse forces,

FIG. 5 shows a longitudinal sectional view along the plane V-V of FIG. 4 according to a first variant according to the invention,

FIG. 6 shows a longitudinal sectional view along the plane V-V of FIG. 4 according to a second variant according to the invention,

FIG. 7 shows a longitudinal sectional view along the plane V-V of FIG. 4 according to a third variant according to the invention,

FIG. 8 shows a longitudinal sectional view along the plane V-V of FIG. 4 according to a fourth variant according to the invention,

FIG. 9 shows an individual plate of the compound glass brick,

FIG. 10 shows perspectively a curved compound glass brick according to the invention, the longitudinal end surfaces of which run at right angles to the transverse end surfaces,

FIG. 11 shows perspectively part of a curved wall with curved compound glass bricks 2 of FIG. 10,

FIG. 12 shows perspectively a further embodiment of a compound glass brick according to the invention which is of substantially trapezoidal design and has front and rear end surfaces running in a curved manner, parallel to each other,

FIG. 13 shows perspectively a curved wall with compound glass bricks 2 of FIG. 12,

FIG. 14 shows perspectively a further compound glass brick according to the invention, in which a central plate is thicker than outer plates, and

FIG. 15 shows two compound glass bricks 2 (2.1 and 2.2) according to the invention which are arranged one above the other and of which the two outer glass plates 3, but not at least one of the inner glass plates 4, are connected to each other by an adhesive 10 or a different adhesive bonding means.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the proposed and preferred embodiments of the invention which are shown in particular in FIGS. 1 to 4, the compound glass bricks 2 are produced from an assembly of a plurality of individual flat glass plates 3 and 4. For this purpose, the glass plates 3 and 4 are connected to one another in a force-fitting or transmitting manner. The peripheral end surfaces 23, 24, 25, 26 of the glass plates 3 and 4 are finely ground or polished. This arrangement of the glass plates 3 and 4 enables a completely new appearance to be produced by reflection on the various end surfaces 23, 24, 25 and/or 26 (FIG. 9), plate surfaces 21 and/or 22 (FIG. 9) and edges 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37 and/or 38 (FIG. 9). When looking perpendicularly at the plate surface 21, 22 there is a virtually undisturbed view through. If, by contrast, the plate surfaces 21, 22 is looked at obliquely, completely different views through are afforded by means of the different reflections at the inner surfaces of the glass.

The compound glass bricks 2 can be installed in the wall in two different layers, i.e. flat or on edge. The compound glass bricks 2 can be installed in such a manner that the individual glass plates 3 and 4 are arranged lying flat (FIG. 3). However, it is also possible to install the compound glass bricks 2 into the wall in such a manner that the glass plates 3 and 4 stand on edge (FIG. 2).

The machining of the end surfaces 23, 24, 25 and 26 and edges 27 to 38 of the glass plates 3 and 4 can take place either at the individual glass plates 3 and 4 themselves before the assembly is formed, or only after said glass plates 3, 4 are assembled to form a complete compound glass brick 2. If the end surfaces 23, 24, 25, 26 and edges 27 to 38 are machined only after the compound glass brick 2 is produced, then a completely smooth glass surface is produced after the grinding and polishing. The end surfaces 23, 24, 25, 26 (borders) and/or the edges 27 to 38 of the composite glass bricks 2 can be designed either to be very sharp-edged, or they can be provided with a radius or with a large bevel.

The glass plates 3 and 4 are connected to one another or the compound glass bricks 2 are connected to one another by means of special adhesives 5 or 10. The adhesive 5 or 10 may be transparent, black or else colored. Instead of the adhesive 5, by means of which the glass plates 3 and 4 are connected to one another to form a compound glass brick 2, the connection is also possible by means of adhesively bonding films 6 or by means of special lamination techniques.

According to the preferred embodiments of the invention, the adhesive 5 or the other adhesive bonding means, for example film 6 or layer of laminate, by means of which the glass plates 3 and 4 are connected to one another in order to form the compound glass brick 2, is a clear connecting means. However, according to another embodiment, the connecting means may also be a light-permeable, but opaque connecting means. Instead of clear or colorless, it may also be colored, according to another embodiment. According to the preferred embodiments of the invention, the adhesive bonding means or the layer of laminate or the adhesive 5 between the glass plates 3 and 4 of the compound glass brick 2 is light-permeable, for example opaque or preferably clear, although a light-impermeable embodiment is also possible.

The adhesive 10 or another adhesive bonding means for connecting compound glass bricks 2 to one another is preferably likewise transparent (light-permeable), and is either opaque or is preferably clear. It may be clear or light-impermeable. Furthermore, it may be colored.

In a further refinement of the invention, the glass plates 3 and 4 of the compound glass bricks 2 can preferably be produced from clear glass, matt glass or else from colored glass. The plates may be composed of a different material instead of glass.

For example, one or more of the inner glass plates 4 of the compound glass bricks 2 can be replaced by, for example, transparent or other plastic plates. This enables the thermic values to be changed.

The term “transparent” signifies in each case light-permeable, and either opaque or preferably clear.

If greater static requirements are to be met, the glass plates 3 and 4 can be provided in the region of their contact surfaces with bores, milled-out portions or depressions 9. Transparent or light-impermeable intermediate layers 11 can be placed into said depressions 9 and can then transmit loads from one compound glass brick 2 to the other as a type of shearing-resistant toothing.

In FIG. 4, the two outer sides of the compound glass bricks 2 are respectively denoted by 7 and 8.

The intermediate layer 11 extends preferably into the depressions 9 of two mutually adjacent compound glass bricks 2 which, in FIG. 4, are arranged one above the other and, in FIG. 4, are additionally referred to by the reference numbers 2.1 and 2.2 to better distinguish each from the other. The intermediate layer 11 may be of a length such that it extends either only over part of the length of the compound glass bricks 2, or over the entire length of the compound glass bricks 2, or beyond the compound glass bricks 2 on the one or other side.

The depression 9 is formed in each case in at least one of the glass plates 4, which glass plate or glass plates is or are arranged between the two outer glass plates 3 of the compound glass brick 2 concerned. As already mentioned previously, at least one of the inner glass plates 4 which is arranged between the outer glass plates 3 can be replaced by a plastic plate.

The depressions 9 can be produced, for example, by milling the inner glass plate 4 (or plastic plate) concerned after the assembly of the compound glass brick 2 is formed, or by using a glass plate 4 or plastic plate 4 which is smaller by the size of the depression 9 than the adjacent glass plates 4 or 3.

FIG. 5 shows the two compound glass bricks 2 from FIG. 4 in longitudinal section, with, according to a first variant of the invention, the intermediate layer 11 not protruding at both of its ends beyond the ends of the compound glass bricks 2, but rather preferably being shorter.

FIG. 6 shows, in the longitudinal section V from FIG. 4, a second variant of the invention, in which the intermediate layer 11 extends through a plurality of adjacent compound glass bricks 2 which are additionally referred to there by the reference numbers 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5 and 2.6.

FIG. 7 shows, in the longitudinal section V from FIG. 4, a third variant of the invention, in which the intermediate layer 11 is designed as a tie rod by means of which the compound glass bricks 2 (2.1-2.6) can be braced together.

FIG. 8 shows, in the longitudinal section V from FIG. 4, a fourth variant of the invention, according to which the intermediate layer 11 projects from both ends (or else only from one end) of a glass wall formed by the compound glass bricks 2 (2.1-2.4) and is fastened to supports 16, 17.

There can be as many compound glass bricks 2 (2.1 to 2.4) in the glass wall or in a glass wall part of a wall as desired.

In the literature, the individual parts of a plate are frequently referred to by different terms. For the description of the invention, the individual parts of the glass plates 3 and 4 or plastic plates 4 are hereby defined, with reference to FIG. 9 of the drawings, as follows: the plates 3 and 4 have mutually parallel, for example plane-parallel, plate surfaces 21 and 22 which are connected to each other via end surfaces, for example via longitudinal end surfaces 23 and 24 and transverse end surfaces 25 and 26. Edges, for example longitudinal edges 27, 28, 29 and 30, and transverse edges 31, 32, 33 and 34, can be formed between the end surfaces 23, 24, 25 and 26, on the one hand, and the plate surfaces 21 and 22, on the other hand. The end surfaces 23, 24 25 and 26 can be connected to one another by corner surfaces, for example by corner edges 35, 36, 37 and 38.

The glass plates 3 and 4 can be flat glass, the plate surfaces 21 and 22 of which are arranged plane-parallel to each other. According to a different embodiment, the glass plates 3 and 4 may also be curved and have correspondingly curved plate surfaces 21 and 22 which run plane-parallel to each other. The glass plates can preferably be rectangular, the length of which, in particular the longitudinal end surfaces 23, 24 of which, can be larger than, the same size as or smaller than the width thereof, in particular the transverse end surfaces 25 and 26 thereof.

The outer sides of the compound glass bricks 2, in particular two mutually opposite outer sides of a compound glass brick 2, can be profiled in an opposite manner with respect to each other such that the profile of the one compound glass brick 2 fits into the oppositely formed profile of the adjacent compound glass brick 2. This enables slipping of the compound glass bricks to be prevented. For example, the compound glass bricks 2 can have at least one rib or at least one pin on one side and at least one groove or at least one other depression, for example bore for receiving the ribs or pins, on an opposite side with respect thereto.

According to the preferred embodiments of the invention, the compound glass bricks 2 are of rectangular design, as they are in oblong or square form. However, other forms are also possible, as, for example, the following figures show.

The compound glass brick 2 according to the invention which is shown in FIG. 10 has curved plate surfaces 21 and 22 which run parallel to each other. The longitudinal end surfaces 23 and 24 preferably run at right angles to the transverse end surfaces 25 and 26.

FIG. 11 shows a glass wall part formed with the curved compound glass bricks from FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 shows a compound glass brick 2 according to the invention which, looking at the mutually parallel plate surfaces 21 and 22, is substantially trapezoidal. The front and rear longitudinal end surfaces 23 and 24 run in a curved manner parallel to each other. The transverse end surfaces 25 and 26 each run rectilinearly, but obliquely trapezoidally with respect to each other.

FIG. 13 shows a curved glass wall part formed with the compound glass bricks 2 from FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 shows perspectively a compound glass brick according to the invention which comprises two outer glass plates 3 and, for example, just one glass plate 4 arranged in between, with the glass plate 4 which is arranged in between having a greater thickness than the outer glass plates 3. Instead of a glass plate 4 arranged in between, use could also be made of a plastic plate 4 which is arranged in between.

The compound glass bricks 2 are adhesively bonded to one another either over their full surface or else only in partial surface regions. The size of the adhesive surfaces is to be designed in accordance with the demands imposed on the glass wall.

In the case of wide (thick) glass walls, the compound glass bricks are preferably adhesively bonded to one another only in their outer regions. In order to ensure an adhesive bond only in the outer regions, the central region of the compound glass bricks can be provided with a separating band 50 or 52, as FIG. 15 shows, for example before the compound glass bricks are fitted together. Such a separating band 50 or 52 preferably has the same color or is preferably colorless and light-impermeable or preferably light-permeable, and either opaque or preferably clear, in the same manner as the adhesive 10 which is arranged between the two compound glass bricks 2 (2.1 and 2.2) which are adhesively bonded to each other. This enables individual compound glass bricks from the glass wall to be interchanged by severing the adhesive 10 from the adhesive joint 54 which is formed between the two compound glass bricks 2 (2.1 and 2.2) which are connected to each other. The adhesive joint 54 therefore has a minimum size in width. The adhesive 10 can be cut out on both sides of the adhesive joint 54 by a cutting tool or grinding tool which is somewhat narrower than the adhesive joint 54. As mentioned above, a separating band 50 or 52 which separates the compound glass brick 2 (2.1 or 2.2) in question from the adhesive 10 can be provided in the central region of particularly wide compound glass bricks. After the adhesive 10 has been cut out or ground out of the adhesive joint 54, the compound glass brick 2 (2.1 or 2.2) can be pushed out to the front or to the rear (to the inside or to the outside). The remaining adhesive surfaces of the glass wall can subsequently be cleaned, after which a new compound glass brick can be pushed in again in place of the removed compound glass brick 2 and can be adhesively bonded.

The invention therefore relates in general to a compound glass brick 2 for a glass wall, which compound glass brick is transparent (light-permeable), preferably in all directions, and comprises an assembly of at least two or more plates 3, 4 which are stacked one on another or next to one another, are arranged with their plate surfaces 21, 22 facing one another and are connected to one another at their plate surfaces 21, 22 by means of a force-transmitting adhesive bonding means 5, 6, with all of the plates 21, 22 and all of the force-transmitting adhesive bonding means 5, 6 preferably being composed of transparent (light-permeable) material and preferably in each case being transparent, and with at least the outer plates 3 or all of the plates 3, 4 being plates, preferably glass plates, the plate surfaces 21, 22 of which are as smooth as glass.

Particular embodiments of the invention are described below.

Preferably at least one of the glass plates 3, 4, preferably all of the glass plates 3, 4, is or are opaque or preferably clear.

The adhesive bonding means 5, 6 between at least two plates, preferably between all of the plates, can be opaque or preferably clear.

At least one plate 4 arranged between the outer plates 3 can be composed of plastic, with said plate 4 which is composed of plastic preferably being transparent, and either being opaque or preferably being clear.

The plates preferably have mutually parallel plate surfaces 21, 22 and, as regards their plate surfaces 21, 22, are planar or curved in a plane-parallel manner.

All of the plates 3, 4 are preferably arranged with their plate surfaces 21, 22 surface-parallel to one another.

The adhesive bonding means can be an adhesive 5.

The adhesive bonding means 5 can be a thermo-adhesive (hot-melt adhesive) which is adhesively bonded to the plates by the action of heat or pressure.

The adhesive bonding means can be an adhesive bonding means which is adhesively bonded to the plates 3, 4 by a laminating method, for example can be an adhesive film 6. The plates 3, 4 can be designed such that they are colorless, clear and/or in different colors.

The adhesive bonding means 5, 6 between at least two of the plates can form an adhesive bonding layer, at least partial regions of which are colored or printed.

At least one of the plates 4 which is arranged between two adjacent plates 3, 4 can have an end surface 23, 24, 25, 26 which is set back in relation to an end surface 23, 24, 25, 26, which points in the same direction, of adjacent plates 4 and therefore a channel 9 is formed between the two adjacent plates 4, the base surface of which channel is formed by the at least one plate 4 lying in between.

At least one of the plates 4 placed between the outer plates 3 can be provided on at least one outer side 23, 24, 25, 26 with a depression 9 into which an intermediate component 11 can be placed in such a manner that the intermediate component can transmit loads from one compound glass brick to an adjacent compound glass brick in a form-fitting manner as a type of shearing-resistant toothing.

At least the outer plates 3, preferably all of the plates 3, 4, are preferably composed of plate glass.

An emission-reducing, in particular a heat-insulating, coating can be provided on at least one outer side of the compound glass brick 2.

A coating which physically influences rays or beams, in particular UV rays, radio beams, X-rays, radar beams and/or other, in particular electromagnetic, rays or beams can be provided on at least one of the glass plates 3, 4.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, at least one of the glass surfaces is metal-coated.

Furthermore, the invention also relates to the use of compound glass bricks 2 according to the invention for forming a glass wall 1 or for forming a glass wall part 1 of a wall. The compound glass bricks 2 can be adhesively bonded to one another in a force-fitting or transmitting manner, or can be adhesively bonded to one another in a force-fitting or transmitting manner such that they can absorb static loads.

In addition, the invention also relates to a glass wall 1 and glass wall parts 1 made of compound glass bricks 2 according to the invention. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an additional translucent glass pane is provided in front of, preferably directly on, the glass wall. Said glass pane can serve, for example, as protection against heat or as protection against the weather or for decoration. 

1. Compound glass brick for a glass wall, wherein the compound glass brick is transparent (light-permeable) and comprises an assembly of at least two or more plates which are stacked one on another or next to one another, are arranged with their plate surfaces facing one another and are connected to one another at their plate surfaces by means of a force-transmitting adhesive bonding means, with all of the plates and all of the force-transmitting adhesive bonding means being composed of transparent material and in each case being transparent, and with at least the outer plates or all of the plates being glass plates, the plate surfaces of which are smooth as glass.
 2. Compound glass brick according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the glass plates, preferably all of the glass plates, is or are opaque or preferably clear.
 3. Compound glass brick according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive bonding means between at least two plates, preferably between all of the plates, is opaque or is preferably clear.
 4. Compound glass brick according to claim 1, wherein at least one plate arranged between the outer plates is composed of plastic, and in that said plate which is composed of plastic is preferably transparent, and is either opaque or is preferably clear.
 5. Compound glass brick according to claim 1, wherein the plates have mutually parallel plate surfaces and are planar or curved with regard to their plate surfaces.
 6. Compound glass brick according to claim 1, wherein all of the plates are arranged with their plate surfaces surface-parallel to one another.
 7. Compound glass brick according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive bonding means is an adhesive.
 8. Compound glass brick according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive bonding means is a thermo adhesive (hot-melt adhesive) which is adhesively bonded to the plates by the action of heat and pressure.
 9. Compound glass brick according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive bonding means is in each case an adhesive bonding means which is adhesively bonded to the plates by a laminating method, for example is an adhesive film.
 10. Compound glass brick according to claim 1, wherein the plates are designed in different colors.
 11. Compound glass brick according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive bonding means between at least two of the plates forms an adhesive bonding layer, at least partial regions of which are colored or printed.
 12. Compound glass brick according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plates which is arranged between two adjacent plates has an end surface which is set back in relation to an end surface, which points in the same direction, of adjacent plates and therefore a channel is formed between the two adjacent plates, the base surface of which channel is formed by the at least one plate lying in between.
 13. Compound glass brick according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plates placed between the outer plates is provided on at least one outer side with a depression into which an intermediate component can be placed in such a manner that the intermediate component can transmit loads from one compound glass brick to an adjacent compound glass brick in a form-fitting manner as a type of shearing-resistant toothing.
 14. Compound glass brick according to claim 1, wherein at least the outer plates, preferably all of the plates, are composed of plate glass.
 15. Compound glass brick according to claim 1, wherein an emission-reducing, preferably a heat-insulating coating is provided on at least one outer side of the compound glass brick.
 16. Compound glass brick according to claim 1, wherein a coating which physically influences rays or beams, in particular UV rays, radio beams, X-rays, radar beams and/or other, in particular electromagnetic, rays or beams is provided on at least one of the glass plates.
 17. Compound glass brick according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the glass surfaces is metal-coated.
 18. Use of compound glass bricks according to claim 1 for forming a glass wall or for forming a glass wall part of a wall.
 19. Use according to claim 18, wherein the compound glass bricks are adhesively bonded to one another in a force-fitting or transmitting manner, or are adhesively bonded to one another in a force-fitting or transmitting manner such that they can absorb static loads.
 20. Glass wall or glass wall part made of compound glass bricks according to claim
 1. 21. Glass wall or glass wall part made of compound glass bricks according to claim 20, wherein an additional translucent glass pane is provided in front of, preferably directly on, the glass wall. 